The Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery. (The Birmingham News/Bernard Troncale)

The bill, which became law Wednesday morning after the governor's signature, provides a tax credit of $1,000. It also gives a credit of up to $2,000 for helping an unemployed veteran cover small business start-up costs.

The law applies to veterans who were deployed overseas and who have been discharged in the past two years.

The Alabama House passed the "Heroes for Hire" bill, sponsored by Rep. DuWayne Bridges, R-Valley, in February by a vote of 84-0 and the Senate passed it in March by a vote of 31-0.